A tragic incident in north-east Thailand has left at least 32 people dead and 66 injured after a construction crane fell onto a moving train. The crane’s collapse derailed the train and resulted in significant damage, with one of the carriages catching fire. Authorities reported that among the injured are a one-year-old and an 85-year-old, with seven individuals in critical condition.
The accident occurred at approximately 09:00 local time (02:00 GMT) while the train was en route from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, mostly carrying students and workers traveling for school and jobs. Reports indicate that the crane was lifting a large concrete section when it suddenly dropped onto the train, causing several coaches to derail. Survivor Thirasak Wongsoongnern recounted chaos, as both train staff and passengers were violently thrown into the air due to the impact.
Eyewitness Maliwan Nakthon described the scene, recalling fragments of concrete falling before the crane struck the train hard, all within a span of less than a minute. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, set to visit the site, has called for accountability in light of the tragedy, suggesting that such accidents are the result of negligence or faulty construction practices.
The crane was part of a US$5.4 billion China-backed infrastructure project aimed at connecting Bangkok with Laos, highlighting the scale of construction that has become increasingly scrutinized in Thailand due to its history of deadly accidents. The Italian-Thai Development Company, which managed the project, expressed regret over the incident and has committed to compensating the families affected. The State Railway of Thailand has also announced legal action against the company, with initial damage costs for the train carriages estimated at over 100 million baht (approximately US$3.1 million).
This accident echoes previous construction mishaps in Thailand, where enforcement of safety standards has often been inadequate. In 2023 alone, eight people were killed when a freight train collided with a vehicle at a crossing, showcasing a pattern of tragic incidents that speaks to ongoing safety concerns in the country’s construction and transportation sectors.
While this incident casts a shadow over Thailand’s construction practices, it also serves as a significant moment for potential reform and stricter adherence to safety regulations. As investigations proceed, there is hope that this tragedy will lead to more stringent safety measures and accountability in the future, aiming to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring again.
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